The Metropolitan Transportation Authority is expanding a pilot program for fare beater-resistant subway gates by 20 stations, including four in Queens, after the first 20 resulted in an average 35 percent reduction in fare beating; and more than 70 percent at two locations.
Gov. Hochul, joined by MTA Chairman and CEO Janno Lieber and others, made the announcement on Oct. 7 at an MTA facility in Maspeth.
The four Queens stations in the expansion are Astoria Boulevard on the N/W line; the No. 7 train’s eastern terminus at Flushing-Main Street; the Forest Hills-71st Avenue station for the E, F, M and R lines; and Sutphin Boulevard/Archer Avenue JFK, which serves the E and J/Z lines.
Hochul, in a transcript of the press conference, said the benefits range from economics to public safety
“It’s been a real challenge for us,” the governor said. “But nothing is more frustrating for those who are paying their fares to see others who can clearly pay but don’t. Fare evasion spiked after the pandemic and left unchecked. It really created a sense of disorder for riders — people just going about their days, but they were witnessing something that was a new phenomenon.
“And every time a fare beater steals a ride, they’re stealing money meant for our trains and our buses to keep them moving. They steal money that pays the salaries of our union transit workers. And who foots the bill for the missing revenue? The taxpayers, riders who do the right thing, riders who do pay their fair share and that’s just wrong.”
Three qualified vendors — Cubic, STraffic and Conduent — have been asked to submit bids this month, with the installation of new gates planned to start by the end of the calendar year.
A third phase of 30 stations will begin in 2027. Hochul said the goal is to eventually outfit all 472 stations in the system.
“The early returns on the new fare gate pilot are pretty impressive — an average 35 percent reduction in fare evasion at these stations,” Lieber said in an accompanying press release. “Right now, we’re focused on expanding to the next 20, but thanks to Governor Hochul, we’ll get to 150 stations as part of the billion-dollar investment funded in the MTA Capital Plan.”
The new gates already are in place in a limited capacity in Queens at Jackson Heights-Roosevelt Avenue, Flushing-Main Street and Myrtle-Wyckoff Avenues.
Lieber said the next 20 stations will be fully outfitted with the new gates at all entry points.
“This is a generational investment in the way customers navigate through the subway system,” said NYC Transit President Demetrius Crichlow. “These gates are more accessible and provide a better design that improves customer flow and deters fare evasion. Better fare compliance helps secure more of the revenue we rely on to deliver faster and more reliable service.”
Hochul also said the new gates allow easier access to the subways than turnstiles
“Right now, the turnstiles across the system are so old, they actually predate the MetroCard,” she said. “They’re not suited for the tap-and-ride era. They’re not suited for speed, not suited for convenience and not suited for accessibility. Everyone knows how frustrating it can be to drag a piece of equipment, a piece of luggage, a bike or stroller through the turnstiles.
“As a mom, I know what that’s about. I can imagine how hard it is for parents just getting their little ones through the turnstiles. It doesn’t have to be that way, and pretty soon, it won’t be.”